"Love verified."

She realized then that love wasn't always a bright, burning sun that demanded you stand in its glare. Sometimes, love was the one who stayed in the dark with you until you were no longer afraid of the light. Slowly, Elara reached out a hand, and the shadows didn't pull away—they held her back.

His name is Alex, and he's a kind soul with a heart of gold. We met online, through a mutual friend who thought we'd hit it off. I was hesitant at first, unsure if I was ready to open myself up to the possibility of hurt. But there was something about Alex that drew me in, something that made me feel seen and heard.